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£700.77 – £924.80
Firstly, the Flux F 416 Ex air motor is powerful and easy to handle. Its minimal weight, under 1.5 kg in all variants, means operators can comfortably use this motor for long shifts without risk of strain. It delivers unparalleled safety and performance in hazardous fluid transfer operations.
The 900 W power output delivers high flow rates and discharge pressure, ideal for tough pumping applications. Typical applications include IBC mixing in combination with the F 426 pump, pumping fluids to the top of reaction vessels or tanks, and handling high-viscosity, adhesive media, in combination with the F 570 pump.
The F 416 Ex is constructed from electrically conductive materials, thereby eliminating ignition risks associated with spark generation. Therefore, this motor is safe to use in ATEX Zone 1/2 classified areas where flammable vapours, or explosive gases may be present. However, the motor is not certified for use in areas with explosive air-dust mixtures.
Unfortunately, one of the down-sides of compressed air motors is their need for lubrication. Typically, this takes the form of a lubricator unit installed in the air supply line, comprising a bowl filled with mineral oil. As air flows through the bowl, a small amount of oil is picked up and carried to the motor.
The F 416 Ex motor utilises spring-loaded, polyester-ceramic blades that do not require oil lubrication. Although vane life may be negatively impacted to a small degree, lube-free operation is a significant benefit in pharmaceutical production, food manufacturing and laboratory environments, where oil mist from the motor exhaust may be a contamination risk.
Drum pumps for safe area use are most commonly powered by electric motors, primarily due to their convenience, flexibility and low noise output. However, thanks to its inherent safety, compressed air is an ideal power source for pumping flammable, volatile chemicals, such as fuels and solvents. Therefore, compressed air supplies are commonly installed in Ex-designated industrial settings, such as manufacturing plants, oil & gas facilities and chemical handling areas.
Because of costs and safety concerns, such areas may have limited access to mains electricity, therefore a drum pump air operated motor, like the Flux F 416 Ex can be a sensible choice. However, this assumes that the compressor can deliver the required air pressure and volume (and there is enough spare capacity available) to power the barrel pump motor.
The advantages of air powered drum and IBC pump motors over electric or battery motors include:
Overall, however, electric motors are more cost-effective to run, compared to compressed air motors. This is because producing compressed air is inherently inefficient, as electricity is consumed by the compressor, to create the compressed air. When the purchase cost of the compressor and the cost of installing the air supply network in a building is factored in, a compressed air installation may not be viable. In addition, Flux offers Ex-certified electric motors, including the brushless FBM 4000 model, which is ideal for heavy-duty use in Ex-classified, Zoned areas.
Air motor stalling can occur due to a few factors, but tends to occur more often during the initial break-in phase of a new motor. The vanes inside the Flux F 416 Ex drum pump air operated motor rely on centrifugal force to extend outwards and therefore engage with the rotor housing. If the air is introduced too gradually, it may flow around the partially extended vanes instead of initiating full rotation. Consequently, this can result in the motor passing air, without turning.
To ensure proper operation:
If the motor continues to stall, contact our support team—your unit may require inspection or service. We can install a replacement rotor and vanes and return the motor with a new 1 year warranty.
Flux offers the F 416 air motor in three versions, each tailored to different operational requirements:
| Model | Valve Type | Application Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F 416 Ex | Trigger Valve | Integrated manual trigger for convenient start-stop control, directly on the motor. Best for quick activation and deactivation by the operator. Incorporates a locking device to facilitate operation without the user holding the trigger, eg. when pumping larger volumes. |
| F 416-1 Ex | No Valve | Simplified model without control valve – ideal for process installations where remote operation is required, eg. batch dispensing using a solenoid-operated air valve controlled by PLC control panel. |
| F 416-2 Ex | Ball Valve | Equipped with a robust manual ball valve to vary air flow and pressure to the motor, thereby controlling pumping speed. |
This flexibility allows users to select a model that aligns precisely with their desired control method, safety requirements and equipment layout.
The F 416 Ex operates through conversion of compressed air energy into mechanical, rotational torque. On entering the motor housing, the compressed air expands, forcing vanes mounted on an eccentric rotor to turn. Consequently, this rotary motion is transmitted directly to the drum pump shaft, which drives the impeller (or rotor) inside the pump tube, enabling fluid displacement and creating flow.
Moreover, speed and torque can be finely tuned by modulating the air supply pressure or volume, thereby providing stepless control over the liquid flow rate. Additionally, the standard silencer reduces exhaust noise and an optional exhaust hose kit can redirect exhaust air to an oil separator, larger silencer or outdoor location, enhancing safety and hygiene in cleanroom or food preparation areas.
Head over to our pneumatic drum pump page for further information.
Learn more about our 400 series pumps here
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